Mendis resigns

Duleep Mendis, the chief executive of Sri Lanka's crisis-ridden cricket board, has tendered his resignation. Mendis, a former captain, coach and long-standing administrator, handed over a resignation letter to the executive committee late last week following discussions with the Criminal Investigation Department.

Mendis was called in for CID questioning following a complaint that he was blocking the full handover of official documents to the government-appointed interim committee. Mendis, caught in the middle of a complicated legal battle, will reveal the exact reasons for his departure at a later date.

"I can confirm that I have resigned and that I handed over my letter of resignation last week," Mendis told Cricinfo. "However, at this stage with the ongoing proceedings in the courts, it is not appropriate for me to outline the reasons. I will make a statement shortly."

Sri Lanka Cricket's registration was suspended by sports minister Jeewan Kumaratunga in March on the grounds of alleged financial mismanagement. The decision sparked a legal dispute that now includes three separate court cases. The resulting confusion brought the administration of the game to a virtual standstill.

On Tuesday, Sri Lanka Cricket's executive committee, headed by Thilanga Sumathipala, will try to secure a court order that will prevent the sports minister from strengthening his hand by making amendments to the sports law that could swiftly end the dispute.